GTA Chapter News

Toronto, Ontario: The ACFE-GTA Chapter is delighted to announce that the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), headquartered in Austin, Texas, has presented our Chapter President & Chief Executive Officer, Mark McManus, with the Distinguished Achievement Award.

In a speech by video link, John Gill, President of the ACFE, highlighted the contributions Mark has made to the global effort in combatting fraud and other financial crime, and to the continued growth and development of the ACFE-GTA Chapter. The ACFE-GTA Chapter was named 2026 Chapter of the Year at the 37th Annual Global Fraud Conference held this year in Boston in mid-July.

The Distinguished Achievement Award presentation was made on behalf of John Gill at the Chapter's Annual General Meeting and Networking Event, held on June 11, 2026 in Toronto  by Penny Hill, ACFE-GTA Director of Chapter Liaison and a former Distinguished Achievement Award recipient herself.

The Annual Networking Event is an opportunity for Certified Fraud Examiners (CFEs) and others involved in combatting fraud and other financial crime to build on their existing relationships and establish new connections. It is also a way for the Chapter to recognize and thank its sponsors including ACCA North America, MNP Canada, Centre-Arch Inc., GHLC Inc., Four Eyes Creative, and Levi Software.

Distinguished Achievement Award – 2026

Every year each recognized chapter in the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) has the opportunity to nominate an individual for the Distinguished Achievement Award.

This award is reserved for those individuals who have excelled in the profession of preventing, deterring, investigating or prosecuting fraud and other financial crime.  The nominees can be a member of their local ACFE-recognized chapter or a non-chapter member. They can be from the public sector or the private sector.  The nominees can work in such professions as law enforcement, government agencies, private practice, security and loss prevention, fraud and other financial crime consultancies, academia, and the criminal or civil justice system.

John Gill, JD, CFE (President Emeritus, ACFE)

This award consists of a certificate signed by the members of the Board of Regents of the ACFE that is encased in a wooden frame.  It is a very prestigious award that can proudly be displayed in recognition of the recipient’s achievements in the field of fraud examination.

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From Boston, Kyle Kanstein, Executive Vice-President & Chief Compliance Officer of the ACFE-GTA Chapter shared some key take-aways" from Day One of the ACFE 37th Annual Global Fraud Conference.

"Beyond the Chapter of the Year award, the conference offered several reminders of why professions that are involved in combatting fraud and other financial crime matter:"

• "Commitment Matters." The ACFE has now surpassed 100,000 members worldwide, demonstrating the growing global commitment to fighting fraud.
  
  
• "Perception Matters." Data from the 2026 Report to the Nations continues to highlight a concerning gap between how boards and executives perceive fraud risk and how anti-fraud professionals assess it. Strong governance starts with listening to the people closest to the risks.
  
  
• "Accountability Matters." One quote that resonated with me: “Public money may leave the government, but it should never leave public accountability.” Major frauds often begin with small weaknesses that go unaddressed.
  
  
• "Courage Matters." Whistleblowers are often exceptional "pattern recognizers". It can take time to accept that what they are seeing is fraud, and even more integrity and courage to speak up. As was noted by one of the speakers, "courage is not the absence of fear, but doing the right thing even when fear exists."
  
  
• "Collaboration Matters." The story behind the Panama Papers served as a powerful example of collaboration, with journalists around the world using encrypted communications to coordinate and investigate in secrecy before bringing one of the largest financial scandals in history to light.

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Left to Right: John Warren (ACFE President & CEO), Kyle Kanstein (ACFE-GTA Chapter Executive Vice-President & Chief Compliance Officer), Christina Tseng (ACFE Taiwan Chapter), John Gill (ACFE President Emeritus)

Boston, MT: The ACFE-GTA Chapter's Executive Vice-President and Chief Compliance Officer, Kyle Kanstein, was in Boston at the 37th Annual (2026) Global ACFE Fraud Conference earlier this month to represent the ACFE-GTA Chapter and accept the <<2026 Chapter of the Year Award>> on behalf of our Board of Directors, Volunteers, Speakers, Sponsors, as well as all of our Members and Certified Fraud Examiners in the Greater Toronto & Beyond territory.

Reflecting upon the award, Kyle said, "This recognition reflects the strength of our anti-fraud community and the commitment of so many professionals who dedicate their time to preventing, detecting, and deterring fraud and other financial crime. The award belongs to everyone who contributes to making the ACFE-GTA Chapter what it is today. Also, it was a privilege to celebrate alongside Christina Tseng 曾韵 of the Taiwan Chapter, recipients of the <<Small Market Chapter of the Year Award>>. Congratulations on a well-deserved achievement."

Mark McManus, President & Chief Executive Officer of the ACFE-GTA Chapter noted there are over 200 ACFE officially-recognized chapters in over 120 countries worldwide., "This is a significant honour for Canada and for all of our Certified Fraud Examiners who call the ACFE-GTA Chapter home. This recognition reflects the vision, dedication, and hard work of our volunteer Board of Directors, our Chapter Ambassadors & Volunteers, and all of the community members who support us. On behalf of the Board of Directors, thank you to everyone and to the ACFE."

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Toronto, Ontario: The ACFE-GTA Chapter announced today that it will again be a Silver Sponsor for the York Regional Police 2026 annual Anti-Money Laundering Symposium to be held on October 21st and 22nd, 2026 at Stonehaven, 63 Eric T. Smith Way, Aurora, Ontario.

The Symposium  is an excellent opportunity for the ACFE-GTA Chapter to support ongoing professional education in the anti-money laundering, fraud, and other financial crime space, network with and market the Chapter to the many Certified Fraud Examiners who are in attendance, and provide assistance to those who would like to earn their CFE credential.

The ACFE-GTA Chapter, as a sponsor of the symposium accepts verified Continuous Professional Education (CPE)/Continuous Professional Development (CPD) from the Anti-Money Laundering Symposium and will issue a certificate of completion to any accredited attendee, supported with the full agenda detailed on  the reverse of this certificate.

In the course of normal practice, attendees who request a certificate are to retain proof of attendance (i.e., attendee badge). Credits are given in accordance with the 50-minute credit hour standard of the National Registry of CPE Sponsors.

Registration opens August 4, 2026 and more information on the Symposium may be found  HERE

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Toronto, ON: The ACFE-GTA Chapter announced today that it will again support the Lipkus Law 29th Annual Fraud & Anti-Counterfeiting Conference through a table display and brief presentation, delivered by the Chapter President & Chief Executive Officer, Mark McManus. The conference will be held at the Novotel North York, 3 Park Home Ave, Toronto from September 23th to 24th, 2026.

In an era where deception evolves faster than detection, staying ahead is not just smart—it's essential. Anyone involved in combatting fraud and other financial crime is invited to Join industry experts, legal minds, and enforcement leaders at this powerful conference dedicated to exposing the hidden world of fraud, scams, and counterfeit products.

Discover how artificial intelligence is reshaping the landscape—making fraud harder to detect and enabling increasingly sophisticated scams. Learn how businesses, border agents, and legal authorities are responding, and what you can do to stay protected.

More information and registration details may be found   HERE

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Austin, Texas: Each year, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) presents the Chapter of the Year Awards to ACFE chapters that went above and beyond to grow and serve their memberships. The recipients of each award are decided by members of the Chapter Leaders Committee. One award is presented to a chapter located in traditionally large markets and another serving communities in traditionally small markets.

The 2026 Chapter of the Year (Large Market) recipient is the ACFE Greater Toronto Area Chapter (# 23).

The ACFE Greater Toronto Area Chapter officially formed in 1991. With 35 years serving Central and Southwestern Ontario, the chapter has developed a strong pipeline for member engagement, community building and opportunities for professional development.

The chapter grew its membership 15% year over year in 2025 while delivering more than 27 hours of live programming for Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credit. The chapter also provided additional CPE opportunities through partnership and sponsored events held throughout the year. In addition, the chapter’s on-demand e-Learning catalogue grew to 58 courses in 2025, providing even more education for members who cannot attend live events.

In November 2025, the chapter served as host of the 2025 ACFE Fraud Conference Canada, which welcomed nearly 200 in-person attendees and more than 100 virtual participants for the ACFE’s annual event in the region.

The Greater Toronto Area Chapter’s leadership places an emphasis on collaboration, forming partnerships with the York Regional Police, Toronto Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, among several others. The chapter also partners with other ACFE chapters, as well as those from other professional associations, to promote visibility of the ACFE and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) credential across a wide range of professionals in both the public and private sectors.

The ACFE would like to recognize several of the chapter’s leadership, including Mark McManus, Kyle Kanstein, Astra Williamson, Mandy Yousif, Julian Wong and Penny Hill, for their volunteer work and dedication to growing the chapter’s impact and giving opportunities to anti-fraud professionals in their region.

Congratulations and continued success to the ACFE Greater Toronto Area Chapter!

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Comment

Austin, Texas: After 31 years with the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, ACFE President John Gill, CFE will retire on July 15, 2026. His Farewell Message is below:

A PRIVILEGE and an HONOUR TO SERVE the ACFE for 31YEARS

It seems strange to think I’ve spent exactly half my life working for the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). In July 1995, I was just 31 years old, looking for a job in the legal field. I’d previously worked for a small law firm in Austin, Texas, handling consumer fraud cases, but I didn’t like litigation and was looking for something different. Then I saw an ad in the newspaper for a legal writer at a company I’d never heard of called the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. I majored in English in college and thought of myself as a decent writer, so I applied. I interviewed for the position with Dr. Joseph T. Wells, CFE, CPA, and he hired me. 

In 1995, the ACFE had between 12,000 and 13,000 members and 25 employees. Because of my experience as a lawyer and a writer, I served as general counsel and publications director. I wrote contracts in the morning and content for manuals and courses in the afternoon. Today, the ACFE has more than 95,000 members worldwide and 125 employees. Never did I think that in 2026 I’d still be working here, we’d have nearly 100,000 members and that I’d be president. 

However, as the saying goes, “All good things must come to an end.” I’m officially retiring as ACFE president on July 15, 2026, with 31 years and five days of service to the ACFE and its members. It’s been a privilege and an honor to work with ACFE employees and with the many thousands of members over the years. ACFE members are simply the best. I don’t know how else to describe them. They’re why I can’t walk away entirely from the ACFE. 
After July 15, I’ll have a new title as president emeritus and will continue speaking and teaching for the ACFE. I couldn’t bear the thought of never teaching another CFE Exam Review Course. In 2006, when I developed the first Review Course, I had no interest in teaching it. In fact, my boss, ACFE co-founder and former president, James D. Ratley, CFE, practically dragged me into teaching kicking and screaming. He thought I’d be good at it. I wasn’t so sure. But as usual, Jim turned out to be right. Jim passed away last year, but not a day goes by that I don’t hear him whispering in my ear. He and Dr. Wells taught me a lot, not only about fraud, but about making our members’ experience and satisfaction a top priority.  

Please indulge me in thanking some of the people who’ve made a difference in my life and in the success of the ACFE during my tenure. First and foremost are Joe Wells and Jim Ratley. I’ve tried to carry on their vision for the last three decades. 

My co-workers have been amazing. Jeannette LeVie, CFE, former chief operating officer of the ACFE, and our very first member, Nancy Bradford, CFE, were mentors to me when I first started. I wouldn’t have made it without them. So many other ACFE employees have enriched my personal and professional life. Listing them all would be impossible. (I’ll reach out to you individually.)

In 1996, John Warren, J.D., CFE, joined me on the legal and publications team. We’ve had a wonderful working relationship, and I know John will continue to do a great job for the ACFE as president and CEO. 

Andi McNeal, CFE, CPA, has worked with me since she started in 2004. You know it’s time to retire when the person you trained exceeds your accomplishments. Andi will be taking on the role of chief operating officer. She’s one of the few people I know who excels at everything she does. I’m glad I preceded her and didn’t have to follow her. 

Thank you to my wife, Laura, and my son, Adam, for their support over the years and for not making me feel guilty about being away from home so often. 

And last, but not least, thank you to all ACFE members (past and present). It’s been a real pleasure meeting you and working with you. Thank you to all the people who heard me speak and who laughed (or at least chuckled) at my jokes. The biggest joy of my job has been meeting and sharing with my fellow members all around the world. 

I can’t wait to see what the ACFE and its members accomplish in the next 31 years. I’m going to try very hard to make it to 93 so I can see for myself. You may contact John at President@ACFE.com 

Toronto, Ontario: The ACFE-GTA Chapter announces the Annual General Meeting for the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2025, AND a Special Members Meeting to pass an Extraordinary Resolution (as required under the ONCA (2010) will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2026 at the Amsterdam Barrel House, 87 Laird Dr, Toronto, Ontario at 6:30 pm and 6:45 pm respectively.

Only Chapter Members in Good Standing (which does not include Chapter Student Affiliates or Chapter Affiliates) may vote at the Annual General Meeting and at the Special Members Meeting. Members may find the relevant documents HERE.

As part of the AGM, the President and Chief Executive Officer will provide a brief overview of the Chapter's work during 2025. 

The two meetings will be held in conjunction with the Chapter's Annual In-Person (only) Networking Event. All Certified Fraud Examiners in the GTA, Central and Southwestern Ontario, as well as all our colleagues involved in financial crime and fraud prevention, detection, deterrence, examination or investigation are welcome to attend the Networking Event. You may register for the Networking Event HERE.

Toronto, ON: The ACFE-GTA was pleased to be one of many sponsors of the Toronto Police Service (TPS) 2026 Bi-Annual International Financial Crimes Investigators Conference (IFCIC) held at the Delta Toronto from March 22 to March 25, 2026.

As a sponsor, the Chapter accepted verified Continuing Professional Education/Development credits from the TPS IFCIC and was able to issue over 250 certificates to attendees to support their credential ongoing training requirements.

The Chapter salutes the many members of the Toronto Police Service, including those who work in the Financial Crime Unit, for hosting a top-notch conference. Great learning! Great speakers! Great networking!

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Toronto, Ontario: The ACFE-GTA Chapter Board of Directors recently approved the 2025 Annual Report, which is attached below.

ACFE-GTA 2025 Report on Chapter Activities

The Chapter takes this opportunity to thank everyone for their support over the past year and look forward to another exciting and successful year in 2026.